Life-saving net.



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(No Modell) Patented .lune 2B, |900.

G. SCHEEL. LIFE SVING NET.

(Application led Apr. 10, 1900.)

. 2 sheets-sheet 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

GUSTAVE SOHEEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIFE-SAVING NET.

sPEcI'FIcA'rIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,645, dated rane2e, ieoo.

Application filed llpril 10,1900.

from windows or other high points of the burning or adjacent buildings.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a collapsible framein which the bodycatching net is suspended and which may be instantlydistended or opened for operation. The frame in which the net issuspended consists of circularly-arranged lazy-tongs,where by the frameas a whole may be collapsed into a comparatively small cylindricalbundle, adapting the entire device to be compactly carried upon orsuspended beneath a hookand-ladder truck or other wheeled apparatus usedlby fire-companies.

The device as a whole is also equipped with an air-cushion for breakingthe fall of a person landing in the net. Means are provided for lockingthe lazytongs, so as to prevent accidental collapsing of the frame whena person lands therein, and flexible hand-grips are attached to theoutside of the frame for enabling firemen or bystanders to lift and varythe position of the net according to requirements and to effectivelyhold the frame open and in condition for use with or without the aid ofthe means for locking the frame in its open or operative position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the .ensuing description. j

The invention consists in a life-saving net embodying certain novelfeatures and details of construction and arrangement 'of parts, ashereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, andincorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of alife-saving net con-` structed in accordance with the present invention,showing the device opened, ready to receive a descending body. Fig. 2 isa verti- .cal diametrical section through the same.

Serial No. 12,303. (No model.)

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of several of the lazy-tongs members,showing the elastic rim, one of the flexible hand-grips, and the lockingdevice for preventing the collapse of the frame. Fig. Il is a detailperspective view of adjacent lazy-,tongs members, showing the formationof the upper ends thereof and the manner of attaching the elastic rimand net thereto. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing the mannerin which the lock-pin is associated with the lazy-tongs members.

Similar numerals of reference are'employed to indicate correspondingparts in all the views.

The frame in which the net proper is suspended consists of a pluralityof lazy-tongs members l and 2, pivotally connected at or near theirends',as -shownat 3, and also pivotally connected at 4, where theyvcross each other. The frame composed of these lazytongs members isendless and circular in form, as clearly shown in Fig. Land whendistended, as shown in said Fig. l, the frame assumes the shape of alarge cylinder, while when it is collapsed or closed it takes the shapeof a comparatively-small cylinder, relatively of the size of theair-cushion shown in Fig. 2. When collapsed, one or more straps (notshown) may be passed around the device, so

as to enable it to be suspended from and carried by any of the ordinaryfire-trucks nowin use. The lazy-tongs members 1 are eX- tended vat theirupper ends above the members 2 and are defiected outward, as shown at 5,and further perforated, as shown at 6, to receive iiexible loops 7. Theupper end of each of the members 1 is provided with one or more suchflexible loops, and an elastic rim 8. is strung through all of theloopsI in the manner illustrated in Figs. l, 2, and Il.

The net proper (shown at 9) may be of any suitable construction and isof circular form and of slightly-larger diameter than the lazy tongsframe when distended, so that it will have the requisite amount of sag,as shown in Figs. l and 2. The net 9 is connected with the elastic rim Sby means of .flexible connections lO. (Shown, preferably, in the form ofendless bands passing around the rim 8 and engaging the meshes of thenet.) The net is also attached to the longer lazy-tongs members 1 bymeans of elastic connections 11,

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lwhich are engaged with the flexible loops 7 ported at intervals fromthe top of the co1- ,.lapsible frame by means of elastic connections, sothat when a heavy body lands'in the net it will not bring a suddenbreaking vstrain upon the lazy-tongs-members, but serve to cushion thefall ,of the body. In order to still further cushion the fally of abody, an inflated air-cushion 12 is suspended within the frame and'belowthe net and attached to the bottom of the net, as shown in-Fig. 2. Thiscushion will prevent the body from coming in contact with the ground orpavement or other surface upon :which the life-saving net as a whole isplaced, and thus a person may jump from a very high point intothe netwith comparatively little danger.

Flexible hand-grips 13 arearranged upon the outerside of the frame andconnected at their ends, as at 14, to the adjacently-located lazy-tongsmembers, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These hand-grips are illustrated,preferi ably,in the form of chains; but it will be understood that ropesor wire cables may be employed in lieu of the chains, or, if desired,the

chains may be covered with fabric, leather,

or other material, according to the desire of as a person alightstherein.

'35 able the 'frame to be held distended without the manufacturer.

The hand-grips are located at intervals around the frame, so thatseveral firemen or bystanders may grasp the same and hold the frame ofthe net distended They also enthe necessity of employing locking devicesfor the samel purpose.

In order to provide for locking the frame and preventing 'its'accidental collapse, I form openings 15 in its adjoining members andarrange these openings so that they will register when the frame isopened -for use. A lock-pin 16 is removablyinserted through theregistering openings 15', and thiswill effectually guard againstaccidentalcollapse of the frame as a whole. In order that the pin 16 mayalways be ready for use, it is attached by a chain or other flexibleconnection 17 to one of the lazy-tongs members,as shown best in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing description it'will be seen that I have provided asimple, efficient, and reliable life-saving net which will safely catchpersons who may becompelled toj ump from windows or high places about aburning building or structures adjacent thereto. rThe device as a wholemay be openedfor operative position by firemen or bystanders andrequires no special knowledge on their part of the construction of thesame. Bynmeans -of the hand-grips the frame maybe held distended and,further, be lifted and: moved from place to place as occasion mayrequire. If

there is sufficient time, the lock-pins may be,V

brought into use to insure against the collapse of the frame. It willalso be seen that the net proper is flexibly and yielclingly supportedby reason of the particular connection bctween it'and the frame, thusrelieving the frame from sudden and undue strains and4 also cushioningthe fall of a person alighting thlerein. It will also be seen that, inaddition to the cushioning feature last mentioned, a pneumatic cushionisatt'ached to the bottom of the net and suspended beneath the same,

thus preventing the falling object from coming in injurious Contact'with fthe ground. When not 'in use, the device as a whole may becompactly folded into a cylindrical bundle the net proper and thecushion being housed and closed within the lazy-tongs members in amanner that Will be readily ,understood without further description. y

I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of constructionhereinabove set forth,

but reserve' the right ,to change, modify, or

ction within the scope of this A lar lazy-tongs frame, and a bodycatching net' having an elastic connection with the frame,

- substantially as specified.4

4. A life-saving net comprising a lazyetongs iframe, an elasticrim.therefor,an'd a net proper attached to the rim, substantially asspecified.

5. A life-saving net comprisingalazy-tongs frame,an elastic rimtherefor, and anet proper suspended within the frame and connectedalternately with the elastic rim and lazy-tongs members, substantiallyas specified.

G. A-life-savin'g net comprisinga lazy-tongs frame havingmembers'thereof deflected outward at their ends, anda net properattached to such deflected ends, substantially as 'speci-v fied.

7. Alifesavingnet co'mprisingalazy-tongs frame having members thereofdeflected out# ward at their ends, anet proper suspended within theframe, and-elastic connect-ions between the net and said deflected ends,substantially as specified. 4 Y

8. A lifc-savingnet comprisin ga lazy-tongs frame, an elastic rimtherefor, a net proper s'uspended'within the frame, flexi-bleconnections between the net and rim, and elastic connections betweenthenet'and frame, substantiallyV as specified.'4

9. A life-,saving net comprising a lazy-tongs frame, an elastic'rimjthcrefor, flexible loops on the frame, through which the elasticrimis strung, yand a net proper suspended from said rim, substantially asSpecified.

"16; `Mitesaving net comprising a collapsible circular lazy-tongs frame,a net proper IOt suspended therein, and iheans for locking the framedistended.

11. Alife-saving net comprising a collapsi- 'ble' circular lazy-tongsframe, a net proper suspended therein, andv a locking-pin for engagingthe lazy-tongsmembers and prevent-` ing collapse of the frame.

12; A life-saving net comprising a/collapsible lazy-tongsframe,"adjoining members of which are provided with openin gs whichregister when the frame is open, a net proper suspended in the frame,and a locking-pin for engagement with'said openings, substantially `asspecified. v, f

13. A life^savin g net comprisinga collapsible lazy-ton gs frame, .a netproper suspended therein, and hand-grips arranged upon the outer side'of the frame, substantially as specitied.

l 14;'. A life-'saving net comprising a collapsi! ble lazy-tongs frame,a net proper suspended therein, and iiexible hand-grips connected to thelazy-tongsmembers upon the outer side of the frame, substantially asspecified in presence of two Witnesses.

therein, .and a cushion suspended belenr the A y net, substantiallyasspeciied. i l

17. A life-saving not comprising-a collapsi ble lazy-tongs frame, anetproper suspended therein, and a cushion attached to the lower side ofthe net, substantially as specified.

g 18; Alifelsaving net-oomprisinga collapsit ble lazytong sf1'arne`,anet proper suspendedA therein, and aninflated air-cushionsuspend.y

'ed belowthe net and arranged Within 'che frame, substantially asspecified.

In testimony whereof v I affix my signature GUSTAVE SCHEEL. Witnesses:

GEORGE LAUTEnrniorr, MAX -L. AWAIJPERS.

